The Victoria Grizzlies defeated the Cowichan Capitals 4-1 on Military appreciation night, Friday at the Q Centre. The game had a large attendance as many military personals showed up to support. The first period started as always Victoria wanted to get on the board early, it only took them 2:40 to score as Marty Westhaver scored picking up his (14th) with an assist from Darwin Lakoduk.
The Grizzlies would put on the heat as they were looking to score a couple more to secure the first period. Grizzlies’ Cameron Thompson ended his 14 game goal drought as he picked up his (15th) with the assist coming from Ryan Nolan and Kurtis Chapman. Kenny Johnson would pick up his first goal of the season only two minutes apart from the Thompson goal, with an assist from Alex Campbell, and Alex Newhook making the game 3-0.
The Capitals down three looked to bounce back in the second period. They started the period fighting to get back into the game, desperately trying to get one goal past Kurtis Chapman, But the Grizzlies defense was too strong. It wasn’t until 4:49 into the second that the Capitals would sneak one past Chapman, as Niko Esposito-Selivanov picked up his (16th) with an assist from Dan McIntyre. The period remained scoreless after that, Shot after shot the period would end with the Grizzlies having 30 and the Capitals had 30.
The third period would remain dry as it seemed both teams had run out of gas. Victoria was able to capitalize once as Ryan Nolan picked up his (17th) with an assist from Cameron Thompson and Alex Newhook. The game would end as the Grizzlies were able to hold off Cowichan to pick up the 29th win of their season. As Chapman stopped all 39 of 40 faced in the game he would pick up the third star of the game right behind Cameron Thompson would be the second star and Alex Newhook picking up the first. The Grizzlies will host the Vernon Vipers on Sunday at 2:00 pm.
